Ventilated shoe



(No Model.)

H. FALKNER. VENTILATED SHOE.

No. 426,495. PatentedApr. 29, 1890.4

E2] 525525) WHT] 5555. Fl :5. I VIVEN-rl:

UNITED STATES PATENT QEErCE.

HENRY FALKENER, OF CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS.

VENTI LATED SHO E.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 426,495, dated April 29, 1890.

Application filed August Z8, 1889. Serial No. 322,195. (No model.)

monwealth of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Ventilated Shoes, of which the following is a full specification.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a sectional elevation of my improved shoe. Fig. 2 is asectional plan'view of the same.. Fig. 3 is a section on c Fig. 2. Fig. et is a section on g/ y, Fig. 1; and Fig. 5 shows in elevation a boot fitted with my improvements.

My invention consists of an improved boot or shoe having air-passages between the ma# terial of the body of the shoe and the lining thereof, communicating through a bulb in the heel with passages between the outer and perforated inner soles in such a manner that fresh air is automatically drawn into the shoe and foul air discharged therefrom at every step of the wearer. A shoe thus constructed is especially healthful for persons having varions troubles with the feetsuch as chilblains, cramps, habitually moist or cold feet, drenthe air constantly circulating through the shoe acting in a very beneficial manner on the foot t0 keep it dry and in healthy condition.

A represents the material of the" body of the shoe, and A. the lining thereof.

B is the outer sole, above which is prefer ably laid an inner sole l, made of thin metal, to prevent moisture from entering the shoe. The material b between the metal sole I and the inner sole D, or, if the metal sole is not used, between the outer sole B and the inner sole D, is cut to form passage-ways b b2 b2, running longitudinally, the inner sole D being perforated with holes d d', arranged in rows,

communicating with said passage-ways, asV

clearly shown in Figs. 2 and 3.

C is a bulb, made preferably of rubber or any suitable flexible material and iixed witln in the boot over the heel thereof and directly under theheel' of the wearer.

G is the freshair tube, which is open at the top and passes down the back of the shoe, terminating in a valve-case F, communicating with the bulb C, and containing the valve a, opening inward toward the bulb.

Jassine u )ward and around to the back of i.

the shoe, terminating at the top, preferably on either side of the central fresh-air tube G. L is a lining half-sole, the object of which is to cover the bulb C and conceal it from. sight. It is omitted in Fig. 2, so as to show the bulb in place.

The operation of my improved shoe is as v follows: At' every step of the wearer in walking the heel ofthe foot rises within the shoe sufficiently to allow the bulb C to expand to its full size, thereby drawing the fresh air by suction through the inlettube G into said bulb. Vhen the heel is again pressed down,

the bulb is depressed, forcing the air past the valve a into the central passage h', and through theperforation d into the shoe. Thus at every step a bulbful of air is pumped in, the foul air and moisture being expelled through the holes d into the outer passage ways b', and thence through the outlet-tubes H into the outer air, the air movingin the direction indicated by the arrows.

This construction of shoe does not interfere in the least with the comfort of the wearer, the bulb C being very shallow ,and theslightest movement of the heel of the foot within the shoe in walking being sufficient to create the circulation of air therein in the manner described. The same construction may be equally well applied to a boot, being especially desirable in rubber boots, which are generally so hot and uncomfortable.

In Fig. 5 l have shown a rubber boot fitted with my improved Ventilating devices.

rlhe ventilated boot or shoe is especially adapted for dry hot climates, where ordinary foot-wear is very burdensome. If desired,in -extremely cold weather the air-admitting and ainexpelling tubes may be closed, and the shoe will then be as tight as those ordinarily worn.

IOO

l. Aventilated boot or shoe having, in oombination, a perforated inner sole, and air-admitting and air-expelling' tubes between the outer material and the lining of the upper, a separate and independent system of longitudinal passage-ways between the inner and the outer sole communicating with each of said tubes, and an operating-bulb in the heel, all arranged and operating substantially as and for the purposes described.

2. A Ventilated boot or shoe provided between the inner and the outer soles with a central longitudinal air-admitting passageway b and independent air-expelling` passageways b2 on either side thereof, in conibination with a bulb C and an air-admitting tube G, communicating' With said central passage-Way b', and provided with suitable Valves, a perforated inner sole, and airexpelling tubes H, communicating With the passage- Ways b2, all arranged and operating substantially as and for the purposes described.

In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

HENRY FALKENER. lVitnesses:

ALBERT E. LEAOH, E. H. GILMAN. 

